Food for Belligerent Cancer:

Some intriguing, but preliminary, research on foods for fighting cancer and colon cancer. Supplements of ginger have been shown to reduce some inflammation indicators in the colon according to a new study.

This work is an initial step in finding out if the compounds that are naturally a part of ginger root might also prevent cancer of the colon. While colon rectal cancer  the study is hailed as being well done, exciting even, it's still early in the game.

According to the lead study author there are many cell culture studies that have shown ginger to be an anti-inflammatory. Mouse and other rodent studies have demonstrated that ginger can stop the tumors from forming when fed to the subject animals that were exposed to a colon cancer forming chemical.

Ginger has been commonly used in food preparation in Asia for many thousands of years. Researchers admit that there's likely a reason for such long-standing popularity, though science has yet to figure out exactly what it is.

Naturally the researchers wanted to see if findings on ginger root in rodents translated to people.

To get the answer, the team assigned 30 healthy adult subjects at random to take capsules of either 2 grams (in eight 250-miligram doses) of powdered ginger root or a replacement powder each day for 28 days. The amount used in the research measures out to be about 30mg of powdered ginger.

People in the ginger study took the supplements with meals, and weren't allowed to take any other drugs, even aspirin or NSAID medications, either prior to or throughout the duration of the study as these are also known for their anti-inflammatory effects.

Both at the start and end of the research, tissue samples from each participant’s colon were taken. The team tested the samples for eicosanoids, a chemical known to up inflammation in the digestive system.

They saw that ginger could bring down the number of inflammatory markers found in the tissue, in comparison to the tissue samples from those taking the placebo. And we do know that high levels of inflammation in the digestive tissue are very strongly associated with the development of precancerous lesions, even cancerous polyps.

While the amount of ginger used in the study was way over what the average American might take in as part of our daily diet, in India, China and Japan people eat that much day to day. Coincidence then that these countries also have lower incidences of colon rectal cancers?

Of course the Asian diet might also be protective because it has more veggies and fiber, and a lot less red meat. Researchers are still working that out.

The side effects of ginger supplements are an upset stomach, heartburn and gas, but nothing more serious. Supplements of ginger are usually well tolerated and safe for most people.

Certainly if you are at high risk of colon cancer, you'll want to discuss this research on foods for fighting cancer with your own healthcare team. While no one is ready to have you running for supplements or putting ginger on everything you eat, it can do no harm to enjoy a little bit now and again. Certainly a preventive approach that's neither toxic nor harmful to quality of life, and is affordable to boot, is all worth further study.

Abrupt Liberate

 Abrupt Liberate - Character and Diverticular Infection: End the Demands Stop the Hurting:

No, no, everyone sit down and stop applauding. It may not be quite as exciting as you think.

In the world of digestive disorders, fiber is probably the most controversial subject. There is a lot of true and a lot of false information about this subject.

Let's start with what everyone agrees on. In a healthy person, fiber is good. Most people get too little fiber in their diet. A diverticulitis diet, one rich in fiber, will assure you you're taking positive steps toward your own recovery.

The real problem with lack of fiber is low volume in the intestines, a direct link to diverticulitis; here too, a diverticulitis diet is one of the keys to good health. It  colon cancer might help to think of your intestines, and especially your colon, like a tube of toothpaste. When you get down to the last toothpaste in the tube, it is a lot more work to push it out of the tube. This is the danger too low fiber and too low residue eating has on your system. Eating a diet low in fiber is much harder on your intestines than a higher fiber diet would be to "move things along."

I do have to tell you, however, once you already have diverticulitis or colitis, adding a lot more fiber suddenly is not necessarily a good idea. Consider for a moment you have a much damaged colon. If you have pain, diverticulitis, fistulas, sores, wounds, and tears to begin with, and then you're already on a road with a sign at the end, reading "Watch out." Here's why. Your colon like the contents in a tube of toothpaste is weak, injured and may even have small tears in it. Suddenly adding a large volume of anything can actually cause complications and lots of pain. When the "tube" is weak you don't want to add to the physical pressure it is under. Again a diet for diverticulitis is one of the closest remedies you have in your control to rectify a life of bad eating habits.

Only you and your doctor can assess whether or not you have open wounds and tears. Most people with colitis or diverticulitis are not at this level of crisis. If you know your colon is sound, gradually adding fiber is healthy and very tolerable for nearly everyone. When you increase your bulk by adding fiber to your diet, you move material through your colon much like you squeeze toothpaste through a tube of toothpaste. You make it easier for your colon to move the material through successfully. This process of movement is called peristalsis. Think of peristalsis as the motion of your hand squeezing the toothpaste tube. Lots of toothpaste makes it easy to dispense, while smaller amounts of toothpaste makes it difficult to move out of the tube, and the tube gets traumatized in the process of forcing the small amounts through it. This analogy is not far from the truth.

If you don't eat at least 25% to 50% of your diet from the produce section of the grocery store or from your garden, you probably have a low fiber diet. A diverticulitis diet can treat or prevent diverticulitis. Some good examples of diverticulitis foods are canned or cooked fruits without skin or seeds, and vegetables such as green beans, peas and potatoes (without the skin). The less fresh produce you eat, the more you should add fiber back to your diet. In the meantime, supplement your fiber with something from the grocery store or health food store. I don't like naming brands, but concentrate on healthier fiber choices. They all help. The one thing I recommend against is choosing a fiber source which is loaded with sugar, or worse yet contains artificial sweetener. I know it is annoying to listen to me sometimes telling you why "nearly everything is bad," but my first passion is telling you the truth. I am not going to tell you what you want to hear instead of telling you the truth.

If you won't listen to this advice, here is simple list to give you "best, better, good, and bad" choices.

Best: When your colon health is decent (no wounds or tears), gradually increase your fiber intake with fresh produce until you have at least one substantial movement per day and preferably two to four times per day (although they may not all be substantial). Once you get use to a diverticulitis diet, it'll become easier for you to make the right food choices for you.

Better: Same as above regarding colon health, but gradually increase your fiber intake by taking a supplement such as a psyllium seed, psyllium husk or psyllium powder. Flax seed (crushed or powdered) is also a great fiber choice and includes some omega oils and nutrients as well. When choosing your fiber, avoid too much sugar and avoid all artificial sweeteners. In my opinion, they are toxic.

Good: Same as above regarding colon health, but take any type of fiber you can tolerate well, sugared, artificial sugar, pills, tablets, etc. Do something to improve your volume and it will still benefit you.

Bad: Keep doing what you are doing now and pretend you are going to get better. It is true, the program alone will cure diverticulitis and colitis, but the volume of stool moving through you is always going to be a factor in your internal health.

One definition of insanity is: Keep doing the same thing you have always done, but expect or hope for a different result.

Fiber is good for us for other reasons as well. The shape and non-softening nature of fiber makes it an internal "scrub brush" as it moves through us. It is the most effective internal cleanser we can use. If you look at people as a machine, such as a car for example, the internal dirt and buildup needs to be addressed periodically. In a car, this is handled with the 3,000-mile oil change. In people, especially in the UK, Australia, Canada and the U.S., we no longer fast (go without food periodically). We are rich enough and food is accessible enough we have come to think of missing a meal or two as some type of plague which has us "starving."

Because we no longer get enough fiber, and we almost never fast for a 24-hour period (a natural cleanse), we are never getting cleaned out. As a group, our plumbing is filthy inside. Please consider adding some fiber to your diet. When you take in fiber you also need to drink a full glass of water, per dose (except produce fiber), above and beyond what it takes to mix the fiber. This is because you want to make the material moving through your tubes the consistency of toothpaste, and not the consistency of a brick. Add fiber, add water, and get healthier. Adopt a sound diet for diverticulitis and you're on your way to a healthier, happier lifestyle.

A Infection that to Destroy

 What Is Colon Cancer? - A Infection That Have Nerve to Destroy!

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is one of the leading causes of death across the globe, particularly in Western countries such as the United States. In fact, in year 2008, 13 percent (13%) or 7.6 million of  colon and rectal cancer  infected people the total deaths of people worldwide is due to cancer. Among more than hundred types of malignancies, Colorectal Cancer lands at the fourth spot of the most common cancers among men and women.

Colon rectal Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells or tumor formation in the large intestine (large bowel or colon) and the rectum. These cells can spread (metastasize) and damage other tissues or organs in the body; thus, referred to as cancer cells. Basically, the colon serves as storage site for the feces before being excreted from the body, while the rectum is the distal end of the colon that is adjacent to the anus. These structures of the digestive tract are the main sites for Colon rectal Cancer, but cancer cells can also metastasize to the liver, lungs and other vital organs. Consequently, injury to the different body organs caused by cancer cells leads to several organ dysfunctions that can result to a person's death.

The most common causes of cancer are as follows

• Genetic or hereditary origin;

• High dietary fat intake;

• Low-fiber diet (low vegetable and fruit consumption)

• Polyps (non-cancerous tumor) that are not removed from the colon; and

• Ulcerative colitis

Studies revealed that people with family history of colon cancer are high risk of developing the disease. Another cause of colon cancer is high fat dietary intake. Various researches show that the metabolism (breakdown) of fats results to the production of free radicals or carcinogens, which are substances that cause cancer. Meanwhile, low fiber dietary intake is generally associated with poor bowel movement resulting to diminished ability of the body to eliminate waste products including carcinogens. Cancer in the colon and rectum is also believed to be a complication of Chronic Ulcerative Colitis (bowel inflammatory disease) and polyps that have not been removed.

An individual with colon and rectal cancer will experience signs and symptoms that are also commonly observed to other bowel disorders and some of which are non-specific. These manifestations include:

• Diarrhea (constipation and stool reduced if the tumor obstructs passageway for feces);

• Abdominal pain, bloating or cramps;

• Sudden weight loss

• Fresh or old red blood, dark blood in stools leading to anemia

• Body weakness or fatigue; and

• Shortness of breath

Hence, specific diagnostic exams are conducted to determine presence of colon cancer such as GI series and Colonoscopy. The confirmatory test for cancer is biopsy. This procedure is done by taking sample tissues from the colon during colonoscopy and studying them through a microscope. Then, another series of diagnostic exams including chest x-ray, ultrasonography of the whole abdomen or CAT scan of the lungs and abdomen are performed to verify spread of colon cancer cells to other organs in the body. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a cancer marker can also be used to determine cancer metastasis through blood test.

Moreover, the most definitive treatment for colon rectal cancer is surgery, in which the affected bowel is cut and removed and the unaffected parts are connected. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be part of the treatment plan depending on the stage of cancer.

In general, there are treatments for colon rectal cancer, but they are merely intended to relieve the signs and palliative symptoms. Regrettably, cancer remains incurable. A person can live for months or years after the diagnosis of cancer, but is always at risk of premature death, even in the presence of a palliative treatment. Like all other types of cancer, having colon cancer is a sobering diagnosis. However, awareness of the disease is what makes people more alert about health issues.

The information provided through this article is NOT a substitute for professional care and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. You should consult your health care provider if you have or suspect you may have a health problem.

Risiing Colon Cancer

 Rising Colon Cancer Danger Factor With High Thread Food:

We all know fiber is good for us, now we're learning more about just how well. Eating a diet that's full of fiber is associated with lower colon cancer risk factors according to research from Britain and the Netherlands that examined no less than 25 studies on the subject.

Total fiber intake, and fiber that came from whole grains including cereals was most associated with a lower colon rectal cancer risk, while fiber from fruits, veggies and legumes was not quite as good in terms of cancer risk.

This isn't to say that you should cut fruits and veggies from your diet. There were simply not those studies on the influence of these foods on the risk of colon cancer. It may just be a matter of not having enough data. And then, fiber might just be one beneficial part of these foods

Cutting your intake of red and processed meat, as well as limiting alcohol intake are all well studied in terms of reducing the risks of colon cancer. And though fiber is known to be good for us, its role in colon rectal cancer, unlike heart disease, is less well researched.

This was the motivation for the team of researchers to scour the medical literature to find 25 well constructed, scientifically sound studies that included over 2 million subjects and looked at combined data.

Comparisons were made between groups who had the highest level of fiber intake each day and those that had the lowest intake. The amounts varied depending on the study, but when the team compared groups who ate the lowest amounts with those who consumed more, they saw some interesting results.

The team discovered a 10 percent risk reduction in cancer of the colon for every 10gm of fiber consumed per day.

The more fiber a subject ate the more reduction in the risk. This is an association and not due to cause and effect. Over 141,000 novel cases of cancer of the colon are estimated to be diagnosed in the United States this year alone.

The more fiber you take in each day, the better according to researchers.

We know that American's don't get the fiber they should. Most of us take in about 15 grams a day, far below the recommended 25 gems of fiber per day for women, 38 grams a day for men. As a point of reference, a slice of wheat bread brings 2 gm of fiber and one cup of oatmeal comes with double that, or 4 grams of fiber.

Eating enough fiber brings lots of benefits including...

1. Improved control over cholesterol levels

2. Improved control over blood sugar

3. Lower risk of hemorrhoids and diverticular disease

4. Less constipation

5. Aids in weight loss

And while experts are still trying to figure out why fiber might bring down colon cancer risk, there are theories. One of the more popular is that fiber might cut the "transit time" of food in the digestive system, so cancer causing chemicals just don't spend as long inside our bodies. The fiber could also dilute carcinogens that accumulate in the colon itself. It's important to understand that...

1. Colon cancer likely develops over many years, so starting taking in more fiber during your 50s might not be enough to protect you from getting this form of cancer during your 60s...

2. Where you live and who is around you, even what you do for work can impact your risk as well.

3. Lack of exercise contributes to colon cancer development

4. Other colon cancer risk factors include chronic inflammation, for example inflammatory bowel disease.

Stage Of Colon Cancer

 Stage of Colon Cancer and Management Option:

Colon cancer is a very fatal disease, in particular, if diagnosed too late. However, treatment success for those who suffer from disease has increased, as has the survival rate. This is due to early prevention along with the development of new therapies for colon cancer. In fact, many early diagnosed colon cancer patients, if treated promptly, are reported to achieve a full recovery from the disease.

The course of therapy varies in different patients regarding the treatment of colon cancer. There are a number of factors that are considered including the state of health of patients and the location and the size of the tumor as well as the severity of colon cancer that are considered by Oncologists (doctors specialized in cancer diagnosis and treatment) in choosing a therapy. The three primary colon cancer treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As the case may be, a combination of these treatments may be employed for the patient.

For early stages of colon cancer (Stage 0 & Stage I), surgery is the treatment of choice. These are the stages wherein cancer is confined locally and has affected a small portion of the colon only. The procedure may range from polypectmy to partial colostomy. Polypectomy is the surgical removal of a polyp in the colon and it is even possibly done during colonoscopy as long as the tumor (polyp) is small enough. On the other hand, partial colostomy is the resection of the affected portion of the colon and adjacent lymph nodes. The two procedures discussed do not require any other additional treatment like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The surgery alone can successfully eradicate the disease with a good prognosis as long as the malignant tissues were completely removed.

Regarding Phase II colon cancer treatments, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended by doctors in most cases. At this stage, where cancer has penetrated the wall of the colon and affected adjacent tissue but has not yet infected the lymph nodes, or spread (metastases). At this point, an operation is generally required to remove the tumor tissues and lymph nodes. Chemotherapy can also be performed, according to the presence of certain circumstances caused by cancer such as:

1. Perforation, or the presence of a hole or holes in the wall of the colon;

2. The presence of a high degree of malignancy;

3. No more than 12 lymph nodes removed surgically;

4. In the case of malignant cells that were removed from the colon show activity micro satellite instability (MSI);

5. Adjacent organs also infected by cancer.

6. The obstruction of the large intestine.

For stage III colon cancer, the malignancy typically involves the colon, nearby tissues and lymph nodes but not the distant parts of the body. The standard treatment recommended for this stage is partial colostomy and adjuvant chemotherapy as well as possible radiation therapy as the case requires. However, the surgical treatment can only be indicated for patients whose general health status can still tolerate the procedure. Otherwise, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are more likely the treatment of choice.

In the stage of colon cancer known as phase IV, operation is typically is the least favored option. Usually the best option in radiation therapy and chemotherapy. At this point, the malignancy is generally spread from the colon and lymphatic nodes and has distributed itself among other organs of the body. For cancer can often be detected in the lungs, liver, organs of the organs and peritoneum and the ovaries. Chemotherapy administered intravenous drugs or by mouth. These drugs are intended to destroy cancer cells. Metastases of other organs, malignant cells, not colon cancer tissue if heavy together with the operation. But if sufficiently large, chemotherapy drugs to reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgery. On the other hand, ionizing radiation and radiation therapy also be taken to reduce this tumor. But most often the procedures are performed in the interest of the comfort of the patent and does alleviate some of the symptoms of cancer, but certainly. Unfortunately, there is a very poor prognosis at this stage of cancer.

Overall, there are several options for colon cancer treatment. However, the best time to undergo such any of the treatment is during the earlier stage of the disease. It is significant that any individual risk for colon cancer undergoes certain diagnostic exams regularly for early detection because definitely cancer has a treatment and a good prognosis is possible.